CLF Offers New Legal Resource for New England Farmers
The Conservation Law Foundation (CLF), a non-profit environmental advocacy group based in New England, is piloting a new resource project for farmers: the New England Legal Services Food Hub. The problem that CLF hopes to solve with the Legal Services Food Hub is an important and widespread issue; many farmers and food entrepreneurs are forced […]
New Data Shows the Ups and Downs of Farm to School Progress
More and more farmers are looking to institutional relationships as a new marketing outlet, and we’re excited to see how beginning farmers are taking an active role in that progress. Recently, the results of the inaugural United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm to School census were released – based on data primarily from 2011-2012 […]
GMO-labeling movement finds first win in Connecticut
Last month, Connecticut became the first state to pass a law requiring the labeling of foods containing genetically modified ingredients.
States Expanding Cottage Food Laws
In April we wrote about Value-Added Producer Grants and how these federal awards can potentially help small farmers. However, with the contents of the 2013 Farm Bill facing uncertainty, state legislatures are providing inexpensive ways for farmers to produce limited quantities of value-added products.
U.S. Senate tackles future of Colorado River
On Tuesday, the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Water and Power Subcommittee held a hearing to review findings from the Colorado River Basin Study, which NYFC has been tracking closely. Speakers representing the Bureau of Reclamation, Basin states, and municipal, agricultural, and healthy flows interests presented important Study follow-up items to the […]
When policy puts water back into streams & farms, the benefits are tangible
Farming is one of the most tangible professions there is. The product of a farmer’s labor is apparent at the end of every work day, with ripening tomatoes on the vine or gallons of milk in the fridge. Policy, on the other hand, is often the opposite: a handful of law makers gathering in an […]
Young farmers hold forum with Congressman Tipton to discuss access to farming, water
On Friday, over 25 Southwest Colorado farmers and farm advocates took time out of a busy harvest day to meet with Republican Congressman Scott Tipton to share hopes and concerns for the future of farming in the Southwest. The forum, organized by NYFC and hosted by the farmers of James Ranch in Durango, was held […]
Republicans and Democrats Introduce New Bill To Aid Beginning Farmers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 25, 2013 Contact: lindsey(at)youngfarmers(dot)org Republicans and Democrats Introduce New Bill To Aid Beginning Farmers “Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act of 2013” addresses major barriers to starting a farming career TIVOLI, NY – Today, Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa and Representative Tim […]
Will the new food safety laws affect you?
The short answer is yes. The new rules will impact the way our food is produced – everything from how seedlings are watered in the ground to how the finished product is marketed. So from the consumer perspective, we are all going to see some changes. The real question, though, is for farmers and ranchers. […]
How can a Value-Added Producer Grant help my farm?
This is a part of a blog series on different federal programs in the USDA and how they affect the average beginning farmer. Let us know if there is a particular program that you’d like us to write about next! You read yesterday about the new Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act and the great things […]